[cinechic]

Hi guys! I'm a young 20-something in NC, live with my awesome boyfriend. Life's pretty cool, I guess, but there was something missing. I look at my Facebook page, see all of my friends getting married, having babies. I've read their posts about smiles and poopy diapers and sighed.

MAN, THAT SUCKS!!!!!

I'm too young for that! I've got a career I'm starting, I'm young and eat like crap and watch too much TV. Who wants to give that up?

So instead I'm getting a dog. Nolita!

She is fierce. Named after the coolest neighborhood in Manhattan, she goes by Noli too, whatever, doesn't bother her. What does bother her is that black belt/brown shoe combo you've got going on. Granted, fashion rules are made to be broken and heaven knows they're hard to keep up with, but even this six-week-old pup knows that some things never change. Just like how icons may come and go but no one will ever top Smoky as Greatest Yorkie Ever. Well, Nolita can give it a shot. (By the way, are you seriously having another Arrested Development marathon? Aren't there dances to go to?)

So I'll be picking her up next Sunday. I've been lurking here for weeks, preparing and studying and totally not stalking certain Nursery threads, but now that it's getting real close I decided to jump in. Any advice for the first night? That's what I'm worried about. The whole crate-training has gotten me confused as well. We've got a travel crate, donated thoughtfully by my mother, but do we leave her there all night? Or should we keep her in the kitchen - a marginally bigger area? I AM SO CONFUSED. HOLD ME.

Also, previously mentioned boyfriend joined the Navy last November. In about a year and a half he should get his assignment. We're hoping for a move to Japan (We're young and childless! And reckless! Things like this are PERFECT for when you're young and childless and reckless!). I've found an old blog post about bringing pets to Japan, but it's from 2007 and I'm worried it's outdated, or wrong. It's also a bit confusing. Any Navy brats around that can walk me through the process?

AND CHECK OUT MY BLOG. It's new and going to be totally badass like me. And Noli!